August 8, 200817 yr NEW YORK ? The Florida Marlins acted today to bolster their catching. They signed free agent Paul Lo Duca, who played for the club in 2004-05, to a minor-league contract. He'll report to Class AAA Albuquerque and prepare to join the parent club if needed. The Marlins, according to a source, also claimed 39-year-old catcher Brad Ausmus off waivers from the Houston Astros. The Marlins' regular catcher, Matt Treanor, played yesterday but previously had missed approximately a month because of injuries. The Marlins also have lightly experienced John Baker and Paul Hoover. Lo Duca was recently released by the Washington Nationals. He hit .230 with no homers and 12 RBI in 46 games this season. He spent the 2006 and '07 seasons with the New York Mets, whom the Marlins face tonight. "I'm excited for the chance to get back," Lo Duca said this afternoon. "I just want an opportunity to help a team that has a chance to go to the playoffs." Ausmus is hitting .235 with one home run and 18 RBI. it makes it sound like Houston let him go on waivers, doesn't it? Like we just assume his salary? It could be that we claimed him then Houston pulled him back, maybe the writer isn't up to speed on how waivers work. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/marlins/conte...0808loduca.html
August 8, 200817 yr checking around on sites, and i havent seen anything about Ausmus. We can confirm that on the Marlins On Deck, they usually know about it as it happens.
August 8, 200817 yr A waiver claim just opens up a trade possiblity, but Ausmus seems like a positive... I may have to overcome my laziness and look him up EDIT: Wow, he's certainly declined.
August 8, 200817 yr As a Stro's fan: Ausmus' best days are behind him. He's never had a good bat and his age has caught up with him behind the plate. That said, he is still decent defensively and has great fundamentals. Hell, the only reason he was even resigned this year by the Astros was to mentor their rookie catching prospect, J.R. Towles.
August 8, 200817 yr Right not the astros can either 1) Pull back their waiver, return Ausmus to the Astros. 2) Negotiate a trade with the Marlins, with the Marlins either having to trade somebody not on the 40 man roster or a player that will completely pass through waiers. 3) Allow the Marlins claim to go through, giving us Ausmus at no cost but we also take on his contract (pro-rated of 2m this season) I like 3, I'd rather have him than Treanor. I'don't want to trade anything for him though.
August 9, 200817 yr Both are interesting in that we need insurance for Treanor. Keep in mind he's not 100% healthy and really came back to the active roster to see "if" he could sustain everyday play without further injuring himself. I don't think the surgery that was talked about is off the table, only on hold.
August 9, 200817 yr Both are interesting in that we need insurance for Treanor. Keep in mind he's not 100% healthy and really came back to the active roster to see "if" he could sustain everyday play without further injuring himself. I don't think the surgery that was talked about is off the table, only on hold. I am more intrigued with Ausmus than i am with LoDuca. Ausmus would be huge for the rotation and he still can catch
August 9, 200817 yr YAWN* to both. Neither of these guys are going to help. I like Ausmus vs LHP and defensively, definitely more solid than Lo Duca to backup Baker IMO
August 9, 200817 yr Both are interesting in that we need insurance for Treanor. Keep in mind he's not 100% healthy and really came back to the active roster to see "if" he could sustain everyday play without further injuring himself. I don't think the surgery that was talked about is off the table, only on hold. I just read something the other day on this. Matt got a cortisone shot to help him through. But he still gets a "tingly" feeling when playing. He said it's like hitting your funny bone type feeling. Off season surgery is going to happen. (Hear that Hammer???) Baker is no where near the answer at catcher. BUT Maybe bringing in Ausmus will help him with his defense. Sure can't hurt it. Have to wait and see what the Astros do at this point. Get a real catcher this off season and stop playing around. We should have a top of the line rotation next year that deserves a good back stop.
August 9, 200817 yr Ausmus > Lo Duca Erick = Crazy Not at all, what little Lo Duca has over Ausmus vs LHP, Ausmus more than makes up in defense... also... Ausmus is a better clubhouse guy than Lo Duca
August 9, 200817 yr Just read Ausmus must ok any trade, beening a 10 and 5 player and he say he would not ok any trade.
August 9, 200817 yr Just read Ausmus must ok any trade, beening a 10 and 5 player and he say he would not ok any trade. So he's definately not coming here?
August 9, 200817 yr Just read Ausmus must ok any trade, beening a 10 and 5 player and he say he would not ok any trade. So he's definately not coming here? nothing's definite until he's off waivers... but it's looking like he's not coming here
August 9, 200817 yr Looks like he just wants to stay in Houston, which is just fine because I'll take Baker any day.
August 9, 200817 yr Ausmus > Lo Duca Erick = Crazy Really? Give me a reason why you'd rather have Lo Duca...I'm interested. :mis2
August 9, 200817 yr I would rather have Ausmus, he actually has done something recently (Gold Glove in 2006) and seems like he can actually contribute to a weakness this team has, poor defense
August 11, 200817 yr What are some decent names that will be out there this offseason coming up which the Marlins can sign for three years while the kid we drafted this year matures?
August 11, 200817 yr I guess it all comes in a senior discount, buy 1 get 1 free hahah hopefully they could play along nicely but getting ausmus and lo duca is pretty pointless 1 or the other
August 11, 200817 yr What are some decent names that will be out there this offseason coming up which the Marlins can sign for three years while the kid we drafted this year matures? ivan rodriguez, david ross, michael barrett, and jason varitek. i wouldn't want varitek because he's really lost it this year and i don't see ross as a starter because i think the only reason he had all those homeruns was because of the great american small park. i'd sign ivan to a 2 year deal.
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